your right, i apologize. I went back and saw some of your posts. You did defend. don't gloat tho. Even though you were right. I agreed btw. The thing that is most overlooked in this argument between the dudes that believed and the guys that didn't' is that it proves that you were really never gonna give him a chance based on how fast the insults started flowing in. Anyone who saw him play in the playoffs in 2006 and then watched him a lot in phoenix knew that it couldn't be HIM by himself that is the problem, it had to be other factors causing his crappy play earlier in the season. To jump on him that early proved that you didn't have high expectations to begin with and that you were ready to say "told you he sucked" before he unpacked his bags. The WHOLE team sucked and has adjusted and HE in the meantime has doubled up on his first star of the week honors. don't gloat but its a beautiful thing to be right.

Thanks! I do appreciate the correction. I had to gloat bc of all the crap I got. But since 06 I wanted us to get him so I am extremely happy. And yes, it did appear that Philly fans almost wanted him to fail...which I don't get. Everyone gave up so quickly.

The only thing I have a problem with is the people who were saying that Bryzgalov could never live up to his contract simply because of the term. I believe many even said Bryzgalov still would not be worth the deal even if he won a Cup.

Suddenly, they've stopped complaining while Bryz has been hot. That's my problem. Many on here explicitly said that it would be a bad contract even if he was playing well...

That logic seems to be gone though. The fact of the matter is, if Bryz plays well, everyone is happy.

There was reason to be upset, but many took it overboard by suggesting that Bryzgalov could absolutely, positively, never be worth his contract. It was a knee jerk reaction, and I guess it was understandably so...but regardless, his hot streak and the subsequent disappearance of Bryz hate proves that people will be happy if the team is successful. As simple as that.

i'll trade 1 CUP for the entire 9 year deal. if I see Bryz hoist it as our #1, then I will be satisfied with the deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by funghoul

Me too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyfreak7

As long as you still believe the things you were saying earlier in the season, I will still respect your opinion

I'll just say this-- if Bryz wins a Cup as the starting goalie...whether it be in 1 year or 7 years...Flyers fans shouldnt care if his contract is an albatross in 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coutsiephan

Speaking of which...has anybody on these boards ever asked whether they think Bryz will ever be worth his contract?

I'm sorry, but this is the same reasoning behind the Briere and Pronger deals, and we've seen the results those deals have brought us. Great while they're productive, but once they start to tail off (Pronger towards the beginning of the season) or just completely implode (Briere), they become a huge problem.

Also, those of you saying "If X gets a cup, I'll be satisfied with the deal," many people said that about the 2008 Phillies team. That lasted about a year.

I'm sorry, but this is the same reasoning behind the Briere and Pronger deals, and we've seen the results those deals have brought us. Great while they're productive, but once they start to tail off (Pronger towards the beginning of the season) or just completely implode (Briere), they become a huge problem.

Also, those of you saying "If X gets a cup, I'll be satisfied with the deal," many people said that about the 2008 Phillies team. That lasted about a year.

Pronger and Briere have led us to within two games of the Cup. I dont care how cumbersome their contracts become, it has been worth it.

And Pronger can very easily be LTIR'd, and Briere's contract will be over before he becomes too bad. Besides, he's had a bad year...the last time he had a bad year, he broke records in the playoffs. He might not turn the switch again, but it's still pretty early before you start calling the contract a mistake. As far as I'm concerned, the Briere contract has definitely been a success.

All I care about is being competitive for the Cup. If this team wins a Cup with Bryz as its starter, the contract is worth it. Period. We gave him the money and th term because we desperately needed a talented goalie. Well, if he plays like a talented goalie, and he solves the issue of the team being "good, but not good enough", then I'll be satisfied.

I'm sorry, but this is the same reasoning behind the Briere and Pronger deals, and we've seen the results those deals have brought us. Great while they're productive, but once they start to tail off (Pronger towards the beginning of the season) or just completely implode (Briere), they become a huge problem.

Also, those of you saying "If X gets a cup, I'll be satisfied with the deal," many people said that about the 2008 Phillies team. That lasted about a year.

The 08 Phillies are beloved by Phillies fans. You're hearing the dillweeds who have been watching them since that year who expect them to win every year.

I know, I remember that argument, it didn't make any sense then either, really.

Much of the Bryz hate has been ruse to obfuscate substandard play and subpar coaching (not that I blame people - sometimes it is hard to criticize one's idols).

You clearly don't have any idea what you're talking about. Bryz's play earlier in the season had nothing to do with coaching. It had everything to do with Bryz playing horrifically. If anything, his excellent play now serves as a contrast to show us just how terrible he was before he turned it around. Nobody criticized Bryz because it was some odd mass conspiracy to protect Lavi. They criticized Bryz because he flat out sucked.

Lavi pulling him early in the year absolutely contributed to the problem.

proof?:

when he played poorly after the flu, Lavi left him & Bryz's confidence went up, since he knew he didn't have to look over his shoulder for the quick hook.

Lavy is in the game to win it. Bryz is the only one responsible on himself getting pulled. Yes sometimes in games goalies aren't at fault when they get pulled, but the majority of the time it was Bryz's fault he was yanked.

If you leave a goalie in there to get schalaked, his confidence will get destroyed. His job is to stop the puck, he wasn't doing it. Now it just isn't Briere's fault in this whole episode, but Lavy is getting the blame too.

Edit: Sorry Beef this is your argument, but it boggles my mind how many excuses these people can make for Bryz. Instead of just laying it all on him.